Kamanjab inmates thirsty, hungry
26 November 2020 | Economics
The entire police station does not have water. The clinic and school are also facing the same problem. - Bianca Nguaiko, Village secretary: Kamanjab
Edward Mumbuu Jnr – About 38 inmates at the Kamanjab police holding cells have apparently been without sufficient food since October and without water for about a week.
This is according to several sources who spoke to Nampa on condition of anonymity after the agency received a tip-off from a community member.
“Since October, there has been insufficient food. There has been no water since last week Thursday. The situation is so dire because inmates’ toilet pots are in the holding cells. So about 20 people are forced to relieve themselves and sleep in an environment that is unhygienic,” said a source.
Further details indicate that police officers are allegedly forced to scavenge for food from the Kamanjab Combined School to feed the destitute inmates.
When contacted, Nampol’s commander for the Kunene region, commissioner James Nderura, disputed the claims that there has not been no food since October.
“It is not true. Food is indeed available. Last week, the Khorixas, Kamanjab and Outjo stations all received their food,” he said, before acknowledging that delays in terms of food delivery to the Kamanjab police station destined for inmates were observed.
MEAT, CHICKEN
“We got food [maize and other vegetables] from the ministry from our green schemes in Divundu. What is missing is meat and chicken which we get from a private supplier,” he said.
Nderura went on: “We get meat and chicken from Kunene Catering and they promised to deliver that on Wednesday.”
On the water situation, Nderura said the police was not to blame as it does not provide water but is a responsibility of the village council.
Village secretary Bianca Nguaiko explained the dilemma, saying the whole town has been affected.
“The entire police station does not have water. The clinic and school are also facing the same problem,” she said upon inquiry on Monday.
According to Nguaiko: “One of the electrical poles of the borehole that supplies water is being repaired by Cenored as the borehole is electricity-based. So it’s not even NamWater’s fault.”
Nguiako said the situation should return to normalcy soon. - Nampa
This is according to several sources who spoke to Nampa on condition of anonymity after the agency received a tip-off from a community member.
“Since October, there has been insufficient food. There has been no water since last week Thursday. The situation is so dire because inmates’ toilet pots are in the holding cells. So about 20 people are forced to relieve themselves and sleep in an environment that is unhygienic,” said a source.
Further details indicate that police officers are allegedly forced to scavenge for food from the Kamanjab Combined School to feed the destitute inmates.
When contacted, Nampol’s commander for the Kunene region, commissioner James Nderura, disputed the claims that there has not been no food since October.
“It is not true. Food is indeed available. Last week, the Khorixas, Kamanjab and Outjo stations all received their food,” he said, before acknowledging that delays in terms of food delivery to the Kamanjab police station destined for inmates were observed.
MEAT, CHICKEN
“We got food [maize and other vegetables] from the ministry from our green schemes in Divundu. What is missing is meat and chicken which we get from a private supplier,” he said.
Nderura went on: “We get meat and chicken from Kunene Catering and they promised to deliver that on Wednesday.”
On the water situation, Nderura said the police was not to blame as it does not provide water but is a responsibility of the village council.
Village secretary Bianca Nguaiko explained the dilemma, saying the whole town has been affected.
“The entire police station does not have water. The clinic and school are also facing the same problem,” she said upon inquiry on Monday.
According to Nguaiko: “One of the electrical poles of the borehole that supplies water is being repaired by Cenored as the borehole is electricity-based. So it’s not even NamWater’s fault.”
Nguiako said the situation should return to normalcy soon. - Nampa
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